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Sterner vs Authoritarian - What's the difference?

sterner | authoritarian |

As adjectives the difference between sterner and authoritarian

is that sterner is comparative of stern while authoritarian is of, or relating to, absolute obedience to an authority.

As nouns the difference between sterner and authoritarian

is that sterner is a director while authoritarian is one who commands absolute obedience to his or her authority.

sterner

English

Etymology 1

Adjective

(head)
  • (stern)

    • Etymology 2

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete, rare) A director.
    • (Webster 1913)

    Anagrams

    * *

    authoritarian

    English

    (wikipedia authoritarian)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of, or relating to, absolute obedience to an authority.
  • Characterised by a tyrannical obedience to an authority; dictatorial.
    • The authoritarian government was demanding stricter laws for low-wage peasants.
  • Tending to impose one's demands upon others as if one was an authority.

    • Synonyms

    * (sense, tending to impose one's demands) commanding, imperious * (characterised by a tyrannical obedience to an authority) illiberal, oppressive * See also

    Antonyms

    * (characterised by a tyrannical obedience to an authority) liberal

    Derived terms

    * authoritarianism * antiauthoritarian

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who commands absolute obedience to his or her authority.
    • The dictator was an authoritarian .
  • One who follows and is excessively obedient to authority.
  • * 2006', Robert Altemeyer, ''The '''Authoritarians